A Love Story in Three Parts

A Love Story in Three Parts

Act l

The Hitting Game

Hard punch to the upper arm.

Grin and bare it.

Show no pain.

On my turn,

deep breath,

concentration,

a full wide swing, 

landing a direct punch

to Tommy Schmidland.

Full-impact!

Laughing, “Is that all you’ve got?”

...his turn

...mine

back and forth

eventually one tires,

slows,

weakens,

to the winner the spoils

proof of love,

Mary Jane Coome.

Act ll

First Contact: The Pear Orchard

My first kiss

beneath the branches of

a Bartlett pear tree

in farmer Bonchart’s orchard.

Linda and Mary led the way

through the long rows

giggling,

a few steps ahead

leaning provocatively 

“Well are you going to do anything?”

Head held back.

Hesitiation,

not knowing what to do...

fast, bold, direct

blitz,

first Linda

then Mary Jane,

my first and

second kiss

on the lips,

wet.

they ran away laughing,

the smell of Double bubble and pears

lingered.

Flushed with joy  and confusion

I knew I must tell Tommy Schmidland.

Act lll

Separation: Crushed Chestnuts

From my vantage point

Mary Jane’s backyard,

the above ground pool

the distant sound of shouts

and splashes, sheer joy.

My bike leaned against a

hydro pole

sweating, I idly kicked

then crushed

a fallen chestnut.

I wished she would look

my way,

this direction

Just once.

She moved that September

no good-bye

I didn’t see it coming.